New Sleepy Hollow TV Series Stars Tom Mison

A new TV series about Ichabod Crane — and our beloved spooky town of Sleepy Hollow — is in the works for the small screen

Marisa LaScala

A while back, I brought you the news that Hollywood had descended on our beloved Sleepy Hollow for a pair of pilots set in the spooky little village. Now, at least one of those projects is going forward and staffing up, with a slate of new casting announcements.

Of course, you can’t have a Sleepy Hollow story without Ichabod Crane, and our newest leading man — joining the ranks of Will Rogers and Johnny Depp — is… drumroll… Tom Mison! Never heard of him? Neither have I. But the British actor has been around, in movies such as One Day and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. He’s also no stranger to TV series, having appeared in Parade’s End with Brit-of-the-moment Benedict Cumberbatch. For what it’s worth, Parade’s End has a very good score on Metacritic.

The unusual thing about this Sleepy Hollow pilot is that it’s a sorta-mix between period and modern elements. Mison plays Crane as a Revolutionary War soldier — I hope they stay true to his character and make him at least a little cowardly — who somehow gets beamed to the present. Once here, he starts investigating reports of a Headless Horseman haunting the town.

Of course, that means Crane can’t be alone in his endeavors — he needs guides to help him navigate modern technology. His partner-in-solving crime will be… drumroll… Nicole Beharie! Haven’t heard of her either? Beharie is an up-and-comer, having had roles in The Good Wife (in which she played Imani Stonehouse) and Shame. Most of her credits are from 2012 or later, though, so she seems poised on the edge of a breakout.

Rounding out the cast is Katia Winter (Nadia from Dexter), who plays Crane’s wife, a Revolutionary War nurse; and — my favorite — Orlando Jones. Jones had a hot moment back in the early ’00s, when he was in Evolution and Double Take — and, uh, those “Make 7 Up Yours” commercials. He’s worked steadily since, but not often so front-and-center. I’ve always liked him, though, so I’m happy to see him as the co-lead in a TV series.

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Marisa LaScala

Elmsford, NY

Associate Editor Marisa LaScala joined Westchester magazine in 2003, and ever since she's blown every paycheck at the Greenburgh Multiplex. She also staunchly defends Richard Kelly, doesn't mind spoiling the endings of trashy movies you're curious about but don't want to pay to see, wishes the Hold Steady would come back and rock out Westchester, misses Arrested Development more than anyone can imagine, and still watches cartoons and Saturday Night Live. You can find more of her cultural criticism atwww.popmatters.com, where she is a staff writer.